It is democracy at last<\/p>\n
Former president Habibie's term report rejection was the
\ncrucial turning point to bring democracy back to this country.
\nTogether with a comrade in arms in the People's Consultative
\nAssembly and outside, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
\n(PDI Perjuangan) had shown consistency and firm determination to
\nprove that democracy implies an undisputed true value in real
\nlife. It is invaluable. Thank God, Habibie, claiming himself to
\nbe a democrat, implicitly acknowledged to the shortcomings in his
\nreport. He came back to his common sense by rejecting the ego
\nmaniac and die hard opportunistic supporters in and outside the
\nAssembly. Habibie dropped his presidency nomination.<\/p>\n
Two presidential nominees came to the stage. Abdurrahman
\nWahid, also known as Gus Dur, and Megawati. Both claimed to be
\nlike brother and sister. They dramatically exercised true
\ndemocracy. Members of the Assembly cast their votes in favor of
\nGus Dur. Megawati lost the battle.<\/p>\n
The vice presidency was the last hope. Megawati, nominated by
\nthe National Awakening Party (PKB), entered the last battle ready
\nto lose for the second time. She had to compete with Akbar
\nTanjung, the chairman of Golkar, Gen. Wiranto, the commander of
\nthe Indonesian Military, and Hamzah Haz, the chairman of the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP). PKB worked hard to secure an
\nunanimous acceptance of Megawati as vice president. Akbar and
\nWiranto declined the nomination but not Hamzah Haz. Amien Rais,
\nthe Assembly speaker, did not succeed in persuading Hamzah Haz to
\ndo the same. Why!<\/p>\n
What is the outcome of the power sharing that was informally
\nagreed to in the political conspiracy to kick Megawati out of the
\nnational scene. Amien Rais from the National Mandate Party (PAN),
\nholding the fifth rank in the last general election, became the
\nspeaker of the Assembly. House Speaker Akbar Tanjung is from
\nGolkar, the second winner. Gus Dur, who was elected president,
\nwas sponsored by PKB, the third winner. Hamzah Haz from PPP, the
\nfourth winner of the election, was backed up by his compatriots
\nbut had to fight for himself. A betrayal? Only heaven knows.<\/p>\n
The show must go on. A democracy must be by voting. Hamzah Haz
\nlost the fight to a woman. Being Vice President is good enough.
\nThe millions of bulls led by Megawati have won the war. Mama Mega
\nwill be seen again in Merdeka Palace, where she was brought up
\nduring her childhood, and she will accompany Gus Dur to lead the
\ncountry in true democracy.<\/p>\n
DOANGSA SITUMEANG<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/it-is-democracy-at-last-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }